Suggested Citation:
Schwartz, Amy L., Fraser M. Shilling, Sarah Perkins (2019) The Hidden Ecology of Roadkill . Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Journal Article UCD-ITS-RP-19-15

Data collected on wildlife roadkill are typically used to estimate the direct effects of roads on wildlife, i.e. mortality, and in doing so can inform and be used to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation strategies that aim to reduce those wildlife vehicle collisions. There is, however, indirect knowledge that can be gained by monitoring wildlife roadkill. Here, we review case studies in which monitoring roadkill has been instrumental in contributing to the advancement of knowledge of wildlife distribution, health, and ecology. The collection of data also offers an opportunity for members of the public to get directly involved in scientific data collection and research (citizen science). We propose that consistently, systematically, and extensively monitoring roadkill facilitates three critical areas of ecological study: 1) population dynamics and behaviour 2) patterns of invasion, and 3) contaminants and disease transmission.

Keywords: Roadkill, wildlife-vehicle conflict, citizen science, roads, urban ecology